WBB: Arico named Big East coach of the year

The accolades keep rolling in for St. John’s as coach Kim Barnes Arico was named Big East coach of the year, conference officials announced on Friday.

It was the second time for Barnes Arico, who led St. John’s to a 13-3 league mark and 21-8 overall record. Barnes Arico became St. John’s all-time leader in victories earlier this season and led her squad to a sweep of Rutgers and a road win over perennial Final Four contender Connecticut.

The 18th-ranked Red Storm set a school record for conference wins, earned the second second in the Big East tournament and received a double bye into the quarterfinal. St. John’s plays on Sunday at 6 p.m.

Red Storm junior guard Shenneika Smith was a first-team All-Big East selection, while teammates Da’Shena Stevens and Nadirah McKenith were named to the second team.

St. John’s began the season without Stevens, who missed the first 10 games recovering from an off season knee injury. McKenith also missed three games with a bruised knee.

In 10 years as coach, Barnes Arico has led St. John’s to five 20-win seasons and three NCAA Tournaments. She is likely to be the first women’s basketball coach in school history to lead her team to a fourth NCAA appearance when the seeds are announced on March 12.